Connor Hellebuyck may be thinking about rejoining the Jets, but David Pagnotta says the room isn't ready to welcome him with open arms.
“You're starting to hear some conversations of maybe Connor Hellebuyck starting to think about rejoining the [Jets] while... wanting a trade,” Pagnotta said.
He added that the guys in the room aren't really going to welcome the goalie back with open arms.
The trade market hasn't helped. Frank Seravalli has reported that the offers so far have been underwhelming.
Buffalo has been viewed as the closest suitor, but Elliotte Friedman reported that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and at least one other goalie have Winnipeg on their no-trade lists.
Darren Dreger has reported the Jets want any trade to send a message to their dressing room.
Rejoining a room that has moved on is like moving back in with an ex because rent went up. It fixes one problem and creates five new ones.
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Connor Hellebuyck may want to return to Winnipeg, but the Jets aren't ready to welcome him back
If the room doesn't want him back, Kevin Cheveldayoff already has his answer. Take the best offer available and let both sides move on.
Friedman has pointed out that strong play from Skinner and Stevenson could change what Winnipeg demands in return.
Skinner has held up his end at .920, with two wins and a loss past regulation.
Stevenson cooled off in Friday's 5-1 home loss to Anaheim and now sits at .872.
Luukkonen, for what it's worth, sits at .782 in Buffalo.
Hellebuyck's $8,500,000 cap hit ranks third among NHL goaltenders, and he has yet to play this season.
A fan-built website has even been tracking the salary he forfeits with every passing day.
Kyle Connor has carried the offense with 6 goals, 3 of them on the power play.
Josh Morrissey is still listed day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Can a goalie really walk back into a room that doesn't want him and win games behind it?
The Jets host Minnesota on Tuesday and visit Chicago on Thursday.
Every day this drags on, the leverage shifts a little more. Right now, nobody in Winnipeg seems sure which way it's moving.
Should the Jets welcome Connor Hellebuyck back instead of trading him?
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